Though I'm swamped with preparations for the new school year, and with books to read, and with all the busy work that goes into making seasonal transitions, I have to stop and mention that Tanya Shirley, whose She Who Sleeps With Bones I reviewed here, recently dropped by and commented:
Hi Charmaine, I just had to say how absolutely grateful I am that you read my work and took the time to thoroughly review and discuss some of the poems. I just discovered this website and I think it's amazing. Thank you for all you're doing to showcase work from the Caribbean. Love, Light & Blessings.
It was lovely to hear from her. So to her I say (on your behalf as well), the pleasure was all mine (ours), and we look forward to more!
. . . .
As for who's next, I'm currently reading two works by Opal Palmer Adisa--her first novel, It Begins With Tears, and her most recent collection of poems and prose,I Name Me Name. Last night I read and really dug these lines from "I Name Me 2." They tell of a woman's rebellions as she transitions from one decade to another:
t
u
r
n
i
n
g
20
rejected my father’s name
refused a husband’s name
i named
myself
to become
my own
self when I celebrated
30 years
t
u
r
n
i
n
g
40 i searched for a new name
that eschewed convention
opting to be recalcitrant
hair uncombed & naked
. . . .
For. This. Time. Around. The. List. Of. Caribbean. Women. Writers. Is. Complete. At. 20.
I recently mentioned on Twitter (where all good and timely mentioning takes place...why you're not there yet beats me) that I've decided on 20 Caribbean women writers for the series, which means I'll most likely be done with it when winter transitions to spring next year (god willing, of course). But since this is by far the most fun I've had since I started blogging, I'm good with that. And if you're journeying along with me, thank you so much!
